Coiled article holder



April 1968 0. K. ERICKSON 3,378,222

COILEI) ARTI OLE HOLDER Filed July 25, 1967 INVENTOR. 01 Al/ K. ERIC/(SON A 7" TOE/VEYS United States Patent 0 3,378,222 COILED ARTICLE HOLDER Olav K. Erickson, 3209 NW. Market St., Seattle, Wash. 98107 Filed July 25, 1967, Ser. No. 655,844 9 Claims. (Cl. 248-359) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rigid frame which in preferred form is close in size and peripheral shape to the coiled article. A hook at the frames upper end. A weight supporting tie means near its upper end, insertable through the eye of the coiled article and securable about its upper bight. A transverse restraining tie on the preferred frame, loopa ble about an intermediate portion of the coiled article for lashing it to and against the frame.

Background of the invention It is common practice to prepare electrical cords for storage by coiling them into a bundle of adjacent loops and then using the last few feet of the cord to tie the loops together. Once coiled and tied the cord is either hung on a peg or the like or is laid down. This arrangement is unsatisfactory for several reasons. The coiling and tying process requires some degree of skill and must be properly done if the coiled cord is to stay together. The cord is difficult to tie and the sharp bends put in it, and the forces applied to it, during the tying procedure often have injurious effects on the cord Furthermore, the tying of the loops together with the cord itself tends to twist the loops, frequently resulting in entanglement and fouling of the loops when the user is attempting to uncoil the cord and straighten it out for use.

Summary of the invention The present invention relates to hangable holders for coiled articles, and principally coiled electrical cords, characterized primarily by a frame and means independently of the coiled article for lashing the loops together and securing the article to the frame.

In preferred form, coiled article holders of the present invention comprise a generally oval frame that is close in size to the loops of the coiled article. A first tie means (e.g., adjustable strap, lacing, etc.) is anchored on an upper portion of the frame and is adapted for looping about the girth of the upper bight of the coiled article. A second tie means is provided at an intermediate station on the frame and is adapted to extend transversely across the entire coiled article, at a location intermediate its length, and to lash it to and against the frame. Both of the tie means serve to maintain the coiled form of the article, and the upper tie means also serves to carry the weight of the article. In one form of the invention the frame is made an integral part of a utility light of the type having a protective cage for the light bulb and a hanging hook atop the cage. In this form the second tie means is not used, as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail.

These and other inherent objects, features, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of typical and therefor nonlimitive embodiments of the invention, as described below in conjunction with the accompanying illustration.

Brief description of the drawing In the drawing like element designations refer to like electrical cord, said holder embodying the principles of the present invention, with the outline and the terminal portions of the coiled cord being depicted by broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second form of coiled article holder constructed according to the present invention, shown detached from the coiled article;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a third form of coiled article holder constructed according to the present invention, such form being combined with a utility light;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the upper end portion of a holder similar to that shown by FIG. 2, but showing a modified construction of the retaining loop for the weight supporting tie means;

FIG, 5 is a fragmentary side elevational in the region of one of the restraining tie receiving portions of a frame, showing a modified form of anchor for such tie means; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing yet a further modified form of anchor means for the restraining tie means.

Description of the preferred embodiments FIG. 1 shows a holder 10 comprising a wire frame 12 of elongated loop form having a hook 14 at its upper end. In this embodiment the main portion of frame 12 and the hook 14 are formed from a single piece of metallic wire or rod. Hook 14 constitutes one end portion of the wire or rod and the second end portion is bent against and is Welded to the shank portion of the hook 14.

In FIG. 1 the flexible coiled article, depicted by broken or phantom lines, is shown in the form of a coiled electrical cord 16. When coiled the cord 16 comprises a plurality of adjacent loops which are approximately the same size. The cord may be formed into a coil by holding one end portion thereof (slightly inwardly from either the plug or the receptacle) in one hand and then throwing the loops onto such hand by means of the other hand, with care being taken to keep the loops of the cord approximately equal in size. In its soiled form, and while still held by one hand, the cord assumes an elongated oval form similar to what is depicted by FIG. 1.

According to the invention, the frame 12 is made to he of approximately the same size and outlined shape as the individual coils of the coiled cord 16. A first tie means is provided for securing the upper portion of the coiled cord 16 to the frame, and for supporting its weight from the frame. And, a second tie means is provided intermediate the length of the frame 12 for lashing the intermediate and lower portions of the coiled cord 16 to and against the frame 12. The second tie means prevents the portion of the coiled cord 16 below the upper tie from swinging sideways and restrains it against other movement which might cause a tangling of the individual loops. In other words, it maintains the coiled cord 16 neat in untwisted and untangled loop form so that when it is again needed, it can easily be uncoiled and straightened out for use.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a short piece of wire is bent and its two ends brought back together to form an eye 18. The two end portions 20, 22 of the eye forming wire are set in parallelism with each other and with the straight shank portion 24 of the book 14, and all three portions 20, 22, 24 are secured together, such as by welding or brazing, for example. The eye 18 functions to support a first flexible tie means which is shown in the form of a belt or strap 26, but which may be in the nature of a lacing, a length of rubber or plastic, etc. The belt 26 is shown to be secured to the eye 18 at a location 28 intermediate its ends, but closer to one end than the other. The shorter end portion of the belt is provided with a buckle 3 and the longer end portion includes a terminal 32 engageeable with the buckle 30.

The belt 26 or other flexible tie means is passed through the eye 34 of the coiled cord 16 and brought up and around the upper bight portion 36 thereof, and is then secured in place relative to the frame 12 by the buckle 30 or some other securement or lock means. The tie means is cinched up tight so that it snuggly engages the upper bight portion 36 of the coiled cord 16. As will be evident, the belt 26 or other upper tie means functions both to hold the cord 16 together in coiled form, and to support its weight from the frame. Preferably, when the cord 16 is placed on the frame 12 its plug 38 and receptable 40 are positioned approximately as shown, so that they are not free to dangle any appreciable amount.

As shown by FIG .1, the general plane of the coiled cord 16 is generally parallel to the general plane of the frame 12, i.e. the coiled cord 16 is in juxta position with the frame 12. The closed loop made by the Weight supporting tie means 26 has a general plane that is substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the coiled cord 16. It engages and is related to the coiled cord 16 much in the same manner that one link of standard oval link chain engages and is related to its adjacent and connecting link.

In FIG. 1 the frame 12 is shown provided with a transverse subframe 42 of closed loop form. The subframe 42 is slightly longer than the main frame 12 is wide, and it is secured (e.g. by welding, brazing, etc.) to the main frame 12 in a position such that its generally U-shaped end portions, and the bridge portions 44, 46 of the side members of the frame 12, together form a pair of side placed eyes 48, 50. The eyes 48, 50 are stationed at oppo site sides of the frame 12, at a point intermediate the length thereof, and preferably nearer the bottom than the top of the frame 12. In this form the eyes 48, 50 serve as anchors for the inner end portions of restraining belt parts 52, 54. The restraining belt parts 52, 54 together form a restraining belt whose function is to secure the intermediate and/ or lower portion of the coiled cord 16 tightly against the frame 12 so that the definite coiled form is maintained. Belt part 54 is shown to include a buckle 56, with the part 52 being insertable into and engageaeble by the buckle 56. In this form the subframe 42 bridges across the back of the main frame 12, and it and the belt 52, 54 together form a loop that extends entirely around the intermediate portion of the coiled cord 16. Such means are in a general plane that is substantially perpendicular to both the general plane of the main frame 12 and the general plane of the upper tie 26.

FIG. 2 shows a second form of the holder which has its wire parts fashioned from a single length of wire.

Commencing from the hook 14, the wire proceeds downwardly to a first three hundred and sixty degree (360) loop 18 in the shank area of the hook 14'. From there, it curves approximately ninety degrees (90) and then extends straight for a substantial distance down to a second three hundred and sixty degree (360) loop 50'. From loop 50 it extends straight for a further distance and then curves around a hundred and eighty degreese (180) and then straight upwardly to a third three hundred and sixty degree (360) loop 48' which is stationed laterally across the frame 12' from the eye 40'. The wire proceeds upwardly from eye 48' to the top of the frame 12 and then curves inwardly for approximately one hundren and thirty to one hundred and forty-five degrees (BO-145), and is joined to the starting portion of the frame 12, such as by wrapping its second terminal portion about such starting portion.

In this form the flexible ties are in the form of lacings 26' and 52'. In use, one leg of the lacing 26' may be passed through the eye 34 of the coiled cord 16 and then and across both side portions of the coiled cord 16, and tied to the second leg of the lacing 26'. One leg of the lower lacing 52 may be passed around the back of the frame 12' and then forwardly through the eye 48, and

i the other leg brought around the front of the frame 12' and across both sides portions of the coiled cord 16, and then tied to the first leg. Thus, in this form the first leg of the lacing 52 performs the function .of the subframe 42 in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

As shown by FIG. 4, the upper eye, designated 18", may be formed by making a partial loop or bend in the second end portion of the wire forming the frame and then welding such end portion to the shank of the hook 14 both above and below the bend, at 58, 60.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show additional forms of the anchoring means for the restraining tie means 52. In FIG. 5 the anchor means is shown in the form of a generally U- shaped bend or indentation 50 formed in the frame 12". In FIG. 6 the anchor means is shown in the form of a bend 52 that is almost circular.

FIG. 3 depicts a coiled article holder 62 according to the present invention that is incorporated in a utility light assembly 66 which includes its own cord 16. One end of the cord '16 includes a head 66 having a light bulb receiving socket, and mounting a protective cage structure 68 for the light bulb 70. Typically, the cage structure 68 includes a solid rear portion 72 which functions as a refiector and a Wire screen forward portion 74 which is hinged connected to the rear portion 72, and carries a hanging hook 76 at its upper end. Utility light assemblies of this type are by themselves old and by themselves form no part of this invention.

According to the present invention, the frame for the holder is composed by the head portion 66, the cage 68, a ring 78 which surrounds the head portion 66, and a side plate 80 which is secured to or supported by the ring 78. In this form the weight supporting tie means is shown to be a length of link chain 82 the individual links of which includes both a major and a minor width dimension.

One end of the chain 82 is secured to the element 80 at point 84. In use, the chain 82 is passed through the eye of the coiled cord 16' and then brought up about the upper bight of the cord 16', and then one of the links thereof is moved sideways into a slot 86 shown to be formed in the upper portion of the element 80. The slot 86 is wide enough to pass the narrower or minor dimension of the link but not the wider or major dimension of the link. This construction and arrangement lends adjustability to the tie 82, as the amount of tension can be regulated to an extent by selection of the link that is placed in the slot 86.

Element 80 is also shown to include an eye 88 for the reception of a snap hook 90 provided at the free end of the chain 82. When the cord 16' is uncoiled and in use the chain 82 is restrained somewhat from movement by snapping the hook 90 into the eye 88. Before this is done the chain 82 might be wrapped around the head 66 a few times to effectively shorten the length of the chain 82.

Although the coiled article holder of the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection with a coiled electrical cord, it is to be understood that such apparatus has utility with other types of coiled flexible articles, such as garden hoses or the like. Furthermore, the form of the supporting frame may vary in still other ways from what has been already described. For example, a frame of sheet or board form may be used, particularly with large objects such as garden hoses. Also, the open form of hook that is illustrated may be replaced by a closed form of hook (i.e. an eye), or by some other suitable hanging means.

These and other variations, modifications, adaptations, features and characteristics of coiled article holders according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present is addressed, within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hangable holder for a coiled flexible article, comprising: a frame close in size and outline to the coiled article; a hanging means above said frame; a flexible weight supporting tie means attached to the holder generally at the upper end of the frame, said tie means being insertable through the eye of the coiled article and snugly sccurablc about its upper bight, for maintaining said article coiled and securing it to the holder; and a flexible restraining tie means intermediate the length of the frame, said tie means being extendablc from one side of the frame transversely across both side portions of the coiled article to the opposite side of the frame, and securable about said article for snugly lashing it to and against the frame.

2. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a closed loop of wire generally close in circumference to the loops of the coiled article.

3. A holder according to claim 2, wherein the frame includes bent wire portions on each side thereof and said restraining tie means engages both of said bent wire portions.

4. A holder according to claim 3, wherein said bent wire portions are eyes formed in the side sections of the wire frame.

5. A holder according to claim 2, wherein the holder includes a bent wire portion near the upper end of the frame, and weight supporting tie means is secured thereto.

6. A holder according to claim 2, wherein said hanging means is a wire hook or eye integral with said frame, said frame includes bent wire portions on each side thereof and said restraining tie means engages both of said bent wire portions, and said holder includes a bent wire portion near the upper end of the frame and said weight supporting tie means is secured thereto.

7. A hangable holder for a coiled flexible article, comprising: a frame; a hanging means above said frame; a hook member secured to said frame below said hanging means, said hook member being fixed relative to said frame and including an upwardly opening slot portion sized for receiving a narrow dimension portion of a link of chain; and a flexible weight supporting tie means connected to said holder, said tie means constituting a length of chain, said tie means being inset-table through the eye of the coiled article and snugly securable about its upper bight, for maintaining said article coiled and for securing it to the holder, by engaging a link of the chain in the slot of said hook member.

8. A holder according to claim 7, wherein said hook member is a generally fiat plate secured to the frame and oriented to lie in a generally vertical plane while said holder occupies a hanging position, wherein the secured end of said chain is secured to said hook element below and inwardly of said slot.

9. A holder according to claim 8, wherein said hook element includes an eye extending therethrough at a location spaced from both the slot and the securement point of the chain, and said chain includes a hook at its free end engageable with said eye.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS $63,414 7/1896 Richardson 24-116 1,066,202 7/1913 Gibson 24-116 1,824,027 9/1931 Lundquist 248-75 X 2,278,037 3/1942 Mclntire 206-59 2,253,444 8/1941 Muller 248-75 2,319,638 5/1943 Sheker 248-339 2,344,540 3/1944 Dowd 211-60 2,907,507 Ill/I959 Solttk 224- CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner. 

